Welcome to our cooler, better, bigger, BRAND NEW BLOG! I’ve been photo-blogging for years. I love passing on information, sharing my passion, and highlighting favorite images I’ve created throughout this journey called LIFE. But we sort of outgrew the limitations of our old blogging system along the way. Here then, is our totally customized new blog! Danella, a wonderfully gifted designer and photographer, built it for us…to be totally and uniquely “US”. Bookmark it. Visit often. We hope you enjoy this new window into our world as we continue along this journey with you!
Wireless Lighting Workshop
My good friend and fellow photographer, Matt Daniel, shared these scenes from the Wireless Lighting Workshop earlier this week. Yes, the nice policeman really did ask us to move the vintage limo off the historic brick street. J
Wireless Lighting Workshop
My heart was beating, my head was spinning, everything was happening so fast! Before I knew it, Virgil was introducing me and I was ON!
I’m scared to death of public speaking. But I LOVE what I do and love sharing my passion with others! So after the initial jitters wore off, everything went great. My Wireless Lighting Workshop was held at Virgil’s gorgeous studio at CVI Photography. It was hosted by the Professional Photographer of South Carolina. And it was sponsored by folks like Nikon, RadioPopper, Zenfolio, MPIX, and Canvas On Demand. We had a fantastic turnout with about 40 photographers from around the state, some as far away as Greenville! I did a short presentation about the principles of wireless lighting. Then we went out into the historic alley behind the studio and did a LIVE photo shoot…no pressure there!!! J That was followed by dinner, fellowship, and networking. Finally we reconvened to review the images and have more discussion on tools and techniques. It really was a BLAST!
We couldn’t have pulled it off without the generous contributions of many talented folks. I have to thank Virgil, Eddie of ProWedding Entertainment, Frankie of Flowers by Frankie, Juliet of Juliet Elizabeth Photography, Molly of D’Lish Desserts, Dwight of Royal Limousine, Pamela of Makeup Artist Charleston, and my lovely model and favorite client, Brittany McDougal. The best part about the workshop is we raised a ton of donations, including lots of dog food, to donate to the Charleston Animal Society. Many thanks to everyone who participated and everyone who attended!!!
Last Shoot of the Year
I’ve been photographing Jean & Gerry’s extended family over the last six years. (Many thanks to their wonderful daughter, Andrea…she originally contacted me and began this longtime friendship.) It was only fitting that they were my last shoot of 2009! J I met up with them at their beach house on Folly Beach. Even though it was really cold that night, they all braved the uncomfortable temperatures and we all had a BLAST! The lighting was fantastic…everything from a really cool sunset to a really dramatic moonrise. I LOVE IT!!!
The Boone Hall Kids
Photographing Greg & Elizabeth’s kids is always such a pleasure. They are so well behaved, love the camera, and actually LISTEN to me! 🙂 I met up with them at Boone Hall Plantation the other day and we just had a great time…going all over and getting tons of different looks. GOOD LUCK narrowing down your favorites, Elizabeth!!! Hehehe!
‘Tis the Season
I still remember Anne-Magill & Brad’s wedding like it was YESTERDAY! When they found out little Merritt was on the way, they signed up for our “Welcome To The World” collection. So I’ve had the pleasure of photographing their beautiful girl since she was just a part of Mamma’s belly! 🙂 She’s now 6-months old. Here are a few of my favorites from their Christmas session on their beautiful property.
Old Friends Become New Again
I photographed Sara & Jordan’s wedding about 4 years ago! So it was really fun and exciting to see them again when they asked me to do an updated family portrait. They hadn’t changed ONE BIT…still as much fun as I remember!!! 🙂
Lee’s Baby Dedication
I recently had the honor of photographing Lee’s 4-month portraits. His baby dedication was this past weekend at Ashley River Baptist. This was one of the photos they selected to be projected on the huge LCD screen of him during the service. What an ADORABLE young man!!! Congratulations Chad, Denise, and big brother Thomas! 🙂
Claudette Bell
Recently I had the pleasure of photographing the AMAZING low country artist, Claudette Bell. Those are her beautiful paintings behind the lamp and above the mantel. Her husband, Bill, has commissioned me to do several shoots for his company. So it was neat to see their beautiful home and get to meet his lovely wife. Visit her website at http://www.claudettebell.com/ or stop by Spencer’s Art Gallery and the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery where her fine work is featured.
Amity & Ryan on Folly Beach
Amity & Ryan are good friends of Kerri & Wes, who’s wedding I had the privilege of photographing earlier this year. Their daughter was the ADORABLE Flower Girl in the wedding! So it was fun to get to work with them again in creating these family memories. 🙂
Adrienne & Corey’s eSession
Adrienne & Corey are getting married December 12th. So the other day we hooked up downtown to do their Engagement Shoot! It was a FANTASTIC afternoon with the sunlight sifting through the trees and buildings with a magical glow. Adrienne & Corey were fun, easy going, and a gorgeous couple. I CAN’T WAIT to photograph their wedding!!!
School Portraits
Something I LOVE about my profession is that no two weeks are alike. One week I might be shooting a beautiful wedding, the next I might be shooting Serena Williams at the Family Circle Cup. This week, I was photographing the school pictures for the Child Development Center at Ashley River Baptist Church. Since I’m truly just a kid at heart anyway, I felt right at home. 🙂
Many of you have asked me how I set up for assignments like these. So here’s a couple shots of this year’s set up. We decided to do an all-white high-key setup this year. To properly do high-key, it’s CRITICAL that you light the background separate from the subject. This allows you to over-expose the background by a stop or so to give it that angelic glow. I have two Alien Bees with umbrellas lighting the white seamless background, and one AB in a large soft box lighting the kids.
Another great tip when working with kids is to always use a remote triggering device. Children are just TOO FAST to try and jump back to the camera to get the shot. Their smiles light up their face for an instant, the next they’re digging for gold or admiring the ceiling tiles. I use a Pocket Wizard, attached to a PW Caddy, strapped to my belt. When I get the reaction I want, a quick tap to my hip transmits the signal to my receiver, which is picked up by the receiving Pocket Wizard, instantly firing the camera.
